Ottoman Saffron Rice Pudding Zerde
by Zerrin
on July 8, 2013
Desserts
Tomorrow is the first day of Ramadan, the fasting month for muslims. Suhoor and iftar are the two meals muslims have in this month. You can read more about Ramadan in my previous posts by using the search box in the sidebar on the right of the page. Desserts traditionally take a great role in this months for muslims, it’s like a reward for the day they fast and they generally have something sweet following iftar meal. The two traditional Ramadan desserts are Gullac, which is a very light dairy dessert made with a special phyllo sheets and Zerde, which is a saffron rice pudding. These desserts are favorite ones for most people especially when Ramadan is in Summer since they are so light and served cold while other desserts like baklava and kadayif are preferred when it is in winter.
Desserts had a significant role in Ottoman cuisine and there were so many kinds of desserts in it. Sugar was so expensive and people couldn’t afford it, so desserts are the symbols of richness and wealth. There was always something sweet at special occasions held by the palace and they were made in very large amounts and served to the poor. This saffron rice pudding was just one of these treats.
Zerde is a rice pudding flavored and colored with saffron, which is a quite pricy spice from Middle East. The root of this word Zerd is originally from Persian language and means yellow, so this rice pudding obviously takes its name from its bright yellow color. Saffron is the main ingredient for this pudding, but it could be replaced by turmeric when you can’t find it. Turmeric is used as an additional spice in some regions to make the color brighter.
Another great ingredient in this rice pudding which complements the flavor of saffron is rose water. It’s like a staple ingredient for several dishes in Ottoman cuisine. I don’t like it when it is used excessively, but I like to feel its subtle flavor when used in small amounts.
So I thought Zerde would be a good treat to share with you just before Ramadan starts. I wish all muslims have a nice fast month!
I just wanted to note how we are working these days! You see I have a great assistant!
Ottoman Saffron Rice Pudding Zerde
A light rice pudding flavored and colored with saffron.
Ingredients
Instructions
Soak saffron in ½ cup water and wait for 15 minutes to let it give its color.
Wash rice very well to remove its starch.
Boil rice in 2 cups of water until a little tender.
Drain saffron and leave them out.
Pour the yellow water into boiling rice.
Mix corn starch with 3 cups of water.
Add in sugar and rose water. Combine it with boiling rice.
Let it simmer until it reaches the consistency of pudding. Stir occasionally.
Share it into small cups when it’s hot and let it cold.
Chill it in refrigerator before serving.
Garnish with marjoram leaves.
2.2
http://www.giverecipe.com/ottoman-saffron-rice-pudding-zerde.html
dessert
ottoman
pudding
ramadan
saffron
